While many reasons still exist for the John Carroll softball team to be optimistic about its 2010 season, after the ten games it played in Florida last week, the team came away with clear perspective regarding the work that needs to be put in to make expectations become reality.

After starting out its trip 5-0, JCU dropped its final five contests to finish the trip with an even 5-5 mark.

Box Scores:  vs. Oneonta  /  vs. Lebanon Valley

Box Scores:  vs. Hiram  /  vs. Alma

Box Scores:  vs. Rochester  / vs. Washington (MO)

"We certainly stepped up the competition level this year," said head coach Erin Brooks. "That being said, we had some chances to end up better than we did. The good thing is this group knows that and is not satisfied with that.'

John Carroll outscored its first four opponents, 49-2. But as the week progressed, the resumes of the teams the Blue Streaks played grew increasingly more impressive.

After the requisite day off on March 3, JCU faced a pair of 20-win teams from a year ago in Oneonta State and Lebanon Valley. Both games had dramatic finishes -- one went JCU's way and one did not.

Against Oneonta, it took extra innings to decide matters, and Sam Thompson (Cheektowaga, NY, Maryvale) delivered a game-winning three-run home run that enabled JCU to erase an 7-6 deficit in the home half of the eighth. The win pushed JCU's record to 5-0.

In the second game of the day, JCU experienced its first road bump of the trip. Despite outhitting Lebanon Valley 9-5, JCU fell by a 3-2 score. The culprit was the dreaded "left on base" number, as the Streaks stranded 11 base runners while Lebanon Valley left just four.

Friday's twinbill had the bats in a deep freeze, as JCU managed just two runs on seven hits in a 6-2 loss to Hiram, then nearly had a no-hitter thrown at them against Alma. Julie Marlowe (Harmony, PA, Seneca Valley) lead off single broke up Tara Leddy's no-hit bid, after which Marlowe also broke up the shutout by scoring on a two-out error. The single run, however, did not prevent a 5-1 loss.

JCU ended the trip facing two 2009 NCAA Tournament teams. The opener, the Blue Streaks built a 5-2 lead but could not off their opponent in the latter stages of the contest and fell by a 6-5 count against Rochester. 

In the final game, John Carroll succumbed to #6 ranked Washington University of St. Louis, 11-2. The Bears broke open a 4-2 game with seven runs in the sixth.

For the ten games, John Carroll hit .323 as a team, with Thompson having a tremdous week by batting .500 (15-30) with eight doubles and 15 RBI. Angela Vistocco (Victor, NY, Victor) batted .367 while Michelle Murphy (Erie, PA, Villa Maria Academy) crossed the plate a team-leading ten times.